Gloria Steinem, the iconic leader of the women's liberation movement in the late 1960s and 1970s, has been confirmed as the keynote speaker for the 2013 annual conference of WTS International, the association for the professional advancement of women in transportation.

“Each year as we plan for the conference we seek to partner with an individual that really touches on the core of our mission, and Ms. Steinem epitomizes our association’s guiding principles of diversity and inclusion and our commitment to ethical leadership, integrity and respect for all,” said Margaret Mullins, WTS managing director. “The transportation field is among the world’s most male-dominated industries, and as our members work at the grass roots level to help each other develop professionally and climb through the ranks in both the public and private sectors, we can take pride in knowing that we are helping to build the world’s infrastructure and shaping future generations of transportation leaders. Working toward equality in the transportation workforce is what drives our members - Gloria Steinem will certainly propel them even further when she addresses them next May in Philadelphia.”

The Annual Conference is WTS International’s flagship event. It attracts more than 500 corporate and governmental industry leaders worldwide, including executives, CEOs, government administrators and leading engineering authorities. Attendees at the conference gather to network, discuss the state of the world’s transportation infrastructure, strategize on advancing professionally through glass ceilings, and explore the local city’s successful municipal and private transportation and traffic projects. For the full duration of this year’s Philadelphia conference, private corporations, public agencies and government officials invested in every transportation mode will exhibit, present, learn and network.

Gloria Steinem is a writer, lecturer, editor and feminist activist. In 1969, she wrote and published an article titled, "After Black Power, Women's Liberation" which was the tipping point that brought her national fame as a feminist leader. In 1972, she co-founded Ms. magazine and was instrumental in the magazine’s move to be published by the Feminist Majority Foundation. In 1968, she also helped to found New York magazine. Her books include the bestsellers Revolution from Within: A Book of Self-Esteem, Outrageous Acts and Everyday Rebellions, Moving Beyond Words and Marilyn: Norma Jean, on the life of Marilyn Monroe. Ms. Steinem helped to found the Women’s Action Alliance, The Women’s Media Center, the National Women’s Political Caucus, the Ms. Foundation for Women, as well as its Take Our Daughters to Work Day.